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Help with Towing Calc

If you are looking for a toyhauler. Most are going to be HEAVY.... The easy math for true pin weight once you get everything loaded is about 22% of your trailer GVWR. Example: (My current setup)
GD Momentum 399TH GVWR = 21,000#
22% of 21k = 4,620#
Actual weight 4,734# (CAT scaled weighed)
I used this same math to calculate what Gen-Y hitch to buy.
Airbags are great but they don't increase your axel rating...
 
Damon, based on your calc above, 22% of 16,950 lbs would be about 3,729 lbs (pin weight). So just on these numbers I should be ok pulling a 5th wheel toy hauler (Valor 36V11) with a hitch weight of 2,995 lbs, and a GVWR of 16,950 lbs? My TV is a Ram 3500 SRW, 6.7L. The attached spreadsheet is from an another forum member, Brutal HO provided. This spreadsheet shows I can tow about 20,000 lbs? My curb weight via scale is 8,860 lbs (2 passengers, full tank, plus various stuff in the bed to simulate camping trip) which differs from the Base Curb Weight shown (7,918 lbs).

We are close to pulling the trigger on this Valor but I am hesitant based on the numbers. I don't have a dually............but I think my truck is a very capable beast.....
 

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JHC1 said:
Damon, based on your calc above, 22% of 16,950 lbs would be about 3,729 lbs (pin weight). So just on these numbers I should be ok pulling a 5th wheel toy hauler (Valor 36V11) with a hitch weight of 2,995 lbs, and a GVWR of 16,950 lbs? My TV is a Ram 3500 SRW, 6.7L. The attached spreadsheet is from an another forum member, Brutal HO provided. This spreadsheet shows I can tow about 20,000 lbs? My curb weight via scale is 8,860 lbs (2 passengers, full tank, plus various stuff in the bed to simulate camping trip) which differs from the Base Curb Weight shown (7,918 lbs).

We are close to pulling the trigger on this Valor but I am hesitant based on the numbers. I don't have a dually............but I think my truck is a very capable beast.....
Click to expand...
You will be close… it usually isn’t a matter of how much you can tow, pin weight/payload is what gets capped out first. You also have the 68RFE which will get warm when pulling long/steep grades. Mine would start to slip when it got hot. I agree you can do it with the drive train. I pulled my GD with the same exact powertrain. If you do go pull the trigger, like others have said, get some airbags as it will make your pulling experience and stability much better. It doesn’t change your weight capacity though.
 
Thanks Damon. I really like to Valor but I am going to search and see if there is another 5th wheel toy hauler on the lighter side. I have checked out a few bumper pulls but I would like to get a 5th wheel........
 
We loved the Valor as well. It was that or a GD Momentum, but both are quality rigs. I would steer you in the direction of a fifth wheel as well. They pull much better, especially if you are going to do more than weekends. Most fifth-wheel toy haulers will not be lower than 16k GVWR. Good luck in your search.
 
You're likely going to be at or over payload. You have 4251 lbs of payload. Minus 150-200 lbs for a 5th wheel hitch. Minus passengers and any other gear you have in the truck. Minus 3500-3700 lbs of pin weight.

The math isn't hard.
 
Riccochet said:
You're likely going to be at or over payload. You have 4251 lbs of payload. Minus 150-200 lbs for a 5th wheel hitch. Minus passengers and any other gear you have in the truck. Minus 3500-3700 lbs of pin weight.

The math isn't hard.
Click to expand...
But still plenty on axle cap so no issue
 
This is where I get confused. Based on the math (thanks Ricochet), I will be at or maybe over my PC but I am still under my rear axel capacity (7,000 lbs). PC vs rear axel vs GVWR vs GCVWR vs.....

From most of the comments, it appears I can tow the Valor with ease with my Ram. Understanding I will be at or above PC but not by a huge amount........time for another cup of coffee......:oops:
 
Yes. Weighed the other day. At 8,860 with me, wife, full tank, bed cover, bed mat and box of tools. The bed mat will come out when I add the hitch.....
 
JHC1 said:
Yes. Weighed the other day. At 8,860 with me, wife, full tank, bed cover, bed mat and box of tools. The bed mat will come out when I add the hitch.....
Click to expand...
So then you know your front and rear axle weights?
 
Nope. Sorry, I just went to a local scrap yard scale to get the truck weighed. I plan on hitting a CAT scale but not until next week....
 
Ricochet. CAT scale readings as follows:
- Steer Axle - 5140
- Drive Axel - 3400
- Gross Weight - 8540

I guess I am not understanding the pin weight, PC, GVWR, trailer GVWR, and now these weights.

Let me know what you think....
 
Looks to me like you have 3,600 lbs of rear axle capacity (7000-3400). Hard to see a situation where a very high percentage of pin weight would not land on the rear axle, and push you right to the max if not over
on axle rating.
 
Well, that's not good.....so is my payload now 3600 lbs? I buy a Ram 3500 CTD SRW with a PC of 4251 and I can't tow a toy hauler <40' long and 2 axels! I either lighten the load (remove the flip back cover, bed mat, and have wifey stay home), buy a dually, which I really don't want to do, or look for a bumper pull toy hauler....
 
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5th wheels put almost all of the pin weight directly on the rear axle. That's why it's important to get your axle weights, so you know what you have left over your rear axle. And, realistically, you have about 3400 lbs of rear axle capacity left after you install a 5th wheel hitch.

In my opinion, the trailer you are looking at is dually territory. Can your truck tow it? Probably, maybe. These ratings on trucks/axles tend to lean more towards the conservative side because they know people are going to overload them. But, you'll be WAY over rear axle capacity towing that toy hauler with nothing in the garage. Something to consider.

I've broken/bent my fair share of axle housings on my Wrangler doing dumb sheeit. They're not indestructible. I sure as hell wouldn't want one letting go at highway speeds with 16,000 lbs worth of 40' wrecking ball behind me.

I've also seen my fair share of "I want to be no where near those people on the highway when we all leave the campground on saturday" from idiots towing triple axle 48' DRV's with a 3/4 ton truck. Because it's a DEEZUL.
 
Based off of this sheet (which I think is your numbers on page 4 row 5) and your weights: (https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuild...jGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBFy6Od5Hdu/D )
Total weight you can have in/on the truck is: 12,300 (GVWR) - 8,640 (actual weight) = 3,600# (Pin weight/hitch/etc)
Total allowed on your rear axel: 7,000 (rear axel rating) - 3,400 = 3,600# (Total payload)
Total trailer allowed: 28,300 (GCWR) - 8,640 (actual weight) = 19,660#
Total trailer weight based off of your current numbers would be: 3,600#(Available payload)/22% (Approx pin weight % of trailer GVWR) = 16,363#.
These are the numbers if you were to MAX everything out as it sits.

Toy haulers get loaded rear heavy with toys if that is your intention. and don't forget water is HEAVY!

Hopefully that math makes sense.
 
Thanks Damon. So it looks like I can tow this trailer (Valor) but I am going to be at the limits and will depend on what I put in the trailer?
 
JHC1 said:
Thanks Damon. So it looks like I can tow this trailer (Valor) but I am going to be at the limits and will depend on what I put in the trailer?
Click to expand...
That is correct. I would find out where the tanks are in that model. If they are forward of the axels it will add more pin weight when you have water in the tanks for boondocking. If you plan to have toys in the back that is another factor. Also, if you switch to a Gen-y/goodbox that will be a little lighter as well.
 
Thank you. I will look into the Gen-Y Gooseneck. I have the Ram pucks. Never thought of going to a gooseneck hitch system for a 5th wheel.
 
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